Meet Cara Vella!

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!

My name is Cara Vella and I am 10 years old and in grade 5.  I started skating when I was three years old.  I started in hockey school when I was four years old.  I love hockey!  My Mom never played hockey on ice and my Dad is Maltese, so he never got to play hockey growing up in Malta, so I kind of learned to play on my own.

I played hockey for a long time with the Caledon Hawks in Caledon, Ontario. I was a defenseman but have played all positions.  For the 2018/2019 season, I was cut from the rep programs because it was claimed that I was taking up the spot of a boy that could be developed.  I was really upset because the boys were all my friends — we grew up together playing hockey and baseball together, but most of all, I deserved to be on the team.  Unfortunately, Caledon doesn’t release players, so when another boys A team invited me to their team, I wasn’t released and was forced to play house league.  I did not belong in house league and I didn’t think it was fair that I had to play house league just because I was a girl.  That’s when I left boys hockey and went to girls hockey.

This will now be my second year playing girls hockey and I love it so much!  I didn’t think it would be as fun or as challenging but I was so surprised to see that it was.  I have made so many friends in such a short time and love my extended family!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A WHL BRAND AMBASSADOR?

I want to be a WHL brand ambassador because I want not only girls, but everyone (especially parents) to realize that girls hockey is awesome!  You don’t have to play boys hockey to be good or to draw attention.  Girls can play and challenge just the same as boys can.  There are so many more girls playing than ever before and I just want to see girls hockey get even bigger!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AS A #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I am looking forward to meeting lots of people as a #WHLBRANDAMBASSADOR.  I like learning new things, trying out new techniques and products and want to extend my family even more

WHAT’S SOMETHING NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Some things that people do not know about me are:  I could eat poutine every day for the rest of my life, I am obsessed with animals and bugs, I am an undefeated jiu jitsu champion, a brown belt in karate, and
I love baking and singing.

IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN AND HAVE DINNER WITH ONE FEMALE HOCKEY PLAYER, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

If I could sit down with one female hockey player and have dinner with them, I would choose Rebecca Johnston or Molly Engstrom.  I got to skate with them over the summer and they were so nice.  I learned so many little things from them during my time with them.  They have a calmness about them and how they play that I like.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN IN HOCKEY OR IN LIFE?

The best advice I have ever been given in hockey and in life are:

1. Haste = waste there (there is no sense in rushing through something just to get it done. Quality is what counts)
2. No matter what, always stay positive

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM FOR WOMEN’S HOCKEY?

My dream for women’s hockey is that it becomes as respected as men’s hockey and pays equally.

Want to join our #WHLAmbassador team?

Get more details and apply here!